Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Texas > Austin
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 05-13-2011, 10:44 AM
yam yam started this thread
 
228 posts, read 887,697 times
Reputation: 143

Advertisements

I'm moving to a small central austin home soon. I'm moving from a big house in the burbs that has, among other things, a 2-bay garage full of many useful things. The small central austin home has a 1-bay garage that I intend to remodel into interior space, so I'm definitely going to need to build a large shed to store all my stuff.

Where can I learn about various shed options? I'd like to find a website or physical store where I can explore various sizes and configurations to help me choose something that will work really well for my needs. Since it's going to be a lot smaller than my current 2-bay garage, it will need to be a highly efficient use of space.

For instance it would seem like I should build something 10x20 to max out the city code allowance, but I'm not sure that width could be used very efficiently, and I'm also not sure a building of that size would hold up well without a permanent foundation.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 05-13-2011, 10:57 AM
 
Location: Avery Ranch, Austin, TX
8,977 posts, read 17,552,407 times
Reputation: 4001
Most Lowe's locations have fully built sheds on display in the parking lot. Seems like an easy place to get some ideas. I know we passed a place on 71 headed toward Houston with quite a selection on site; but, I'm sure you could find a local dealer/builder(unless you're just headed out 71 anyway ) .

As I'm sure you've already figured, no matter the size...you WILL fill it up!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 11:01 AM
 
Location: NW Austin
1,133 posts, read 4,186,878 times
Reputation: 174
There's also some place that is on Burnet south of Anderson -- right there at the Burnet Rd Farmers Market -- that has some cool looking modern style sheds that you can go inside. I was thinking that if I were to get a small Central house, I'd want one of those cool sheds.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 11:21 AM
yam yam started this thread
 
228 posts, read 887,697 times
Reputation: 143
I'm not impressed with the selection at Lowes or HD. I checked them first, but everything I could find was small and very cheaply made, almost like an oversized porta-potty. What I'm looking for is more like a detached garage on a temporary foundation.

Altanta, I think you're talking about Kanga? They make some very nice models, but according to their website they top out at about half the size I'm looking for. Guess I ought to check their showroom anyway.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 11:53 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,068,148 times
Reputation: 9478
Quote:
Originally Posted by yam View Post
For instance it would seem like I should build something 10x20 to max out the city code allowance, but I'm not sure that width could be used very efficiently, and I'm also not sure a building of that size would hold up well without a permanent foundation.
The City code allows a 200 SF shed, but that does not mean it has to be 10'x20'. 12' x 16.6' or 14' x 14' would also be less then 200. Also I don't see anything in the code that would prevent you from putting it on a concrete slab foundation. But make sure you observe the required set backs, 5' from side property lines and 10' from the rear property line, and don't set it up over any easements.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 12:29 PM
 
Location: Austin Texas
474 posts, read 905,406 times
Reputation: 534
Home Depot also offers semi-custom built sheds. They are branded "Tuff Shed" and are built on site. My parents just had one built and I was very surprised by the quality. Excellent framing work and the doors have a steel frame.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 12:56 PM
 
Location: NW Austin
1,133 posts, read 4,186,878 times
Reputation: 174
Quote:
Originally Posted by yam View Post
I'm not impressed with the selection at Lowes or HD. I checked them first, but everything I could find was small and very cheaply made, almost like an oversized porta-potty. What I'm looking for is more like a detached garage on a temporary foundation.

Altanta, I think you're talking about Kanga? They make some very nice models, but according to their website they top out at about half the size I'm looking for. Guess I ought to check their showroom anyway.
I have no idea what the name is... I'd check them out, they looked rather large and they had either 2 or 3 there.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 01:05 PM
 
Location: Avery Ranch, Austin, TX
8,977 posts, read 17,552,407 times
Reputation: 4001
Maybe you can find someone to go halfsies on this one:
Portable Building - 16x24 (http://austin.craigslist.org/mat/2337915405.html - broken link)
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 01:06 PM
yam yam started this thread
 
228 posts, read 887,697 times
Reputation: 143
I also need to understand the code requirements. I had thought sheds could not have a permanent foundation? And I'm also confused about the setback requirements. I think every single shed I've seen in the neighborhood has been up against the property line, but apparently they're supposed to leave a 10 foot rear and 5 foot side setback?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 05-13-2011, 01:14 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
399 posts, read 1,803,244 times
Reputation: 424
Quote:
Originally Posted by 10scoachrick View Post
Maybe you can find someone to go halfsies on this one:
Portable Building - 16x24 (http://austin.craigslist.org/mat/2337915405.html - broken link)
Ha, that made me chuckle. $3500 seems like a lot for a building that needs to be chopped in half in order to be purchased.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yam View Post
And I'm also confused about the setback requirements. I think every single shed I've seen in the neighborhood has been up against the property line, but apparently they're supposed to leave a 10 foot rear and 5 foot side setback?
I'd also like clarification on these setback requirements. All sheds I've seen seem to be pretty darn close to property lines.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2020 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram

Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Texas > Austin

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top